Facial cleanliness is an integral component of the SAFE strategy for trachoma elimination. Face-washing removes contagious secretions from the faces of those with trachoma and clean faces are less attractive to eye-seeking flies that transmit the disease.
Fantanesh Gedefe washes her face from water stored in the “tippy tap” (a re-purposed water jug).
The promotion of latrine construction is included in trachoma elimination programs as they reduce the population of eye-seeking flies that transmit trachoma. The trachoma control program in Amhara is associated with a remarkable sanitation revolution, seeing latrine coverage rise from 2% to 80%.
Aynimagne Ambaw visits her household’s latrine in Sankegna village.
Gedefaye Metikie has had minor trichiasis (TT) for 3 or 4 years but has put off her surgery until her youngest child is weaned. In the meantime, her oldest daughter Yalemworke Gashaw lovingly epilates the eyelashes rubbing against her mother’s eye between her fingernails.
Gedefaye is aware that a simple 10-15 minute surgery is available free of charge through the Lions/Carter Center Sightfirst Initiative offered by the Amhara Regional Health Bureau.
Margeta Aleligne Tsega is a lay priest in the Orthodox Church. His trichiasis was untreated for 12 years and was advanced when he got corrective surgery. Before the operation, he had a continuous stabbing pain in his eyes, was unable to read, and was always looking down to avoid the pain and sunlight. Today, he is able to read his bible and look up to the heavens, free of pain.
Photos: Brent Stirton/Getty Images for the International Trachoma Initiative